Osteo Arthritis- Ayurvedic Panchkarma And Yoga Management

According to Ayurveda, a holistic way of living, Oestoarthritis, a chronic degenerative disease
affecting the cartilages of joints can be treated by Panchakarma and Yoga.

It stops future deterioration of the joints and helps to rejunevate the damaged joints by normalizing the vitiated doshas.

Accumulated negative toxins called ama (undigested waste) in the colon which occurs due to the emotional and physical disturbances when settled in the joints give rise to OA.

It is Detoxification therapy which first aims to loosen and mobilise the accumulated toxins which is achieved by both internal and external oleation using herbal oils and steam.

Appropriate procedures are then used to eliminate
these toxins resulting in the rejunevated tissues Then the cell tissues are treated with nourishing diet and ayurvedic herbal formulas to strengthen the muscles and boost the immunity.

Pre-purification therapies like snehapanam, swedhanam loosens the toxins and makes the body ready for eliminating the wastes. Main purification therapy like vasti and virechanam are used to eliminate the toxins that are loosened in the earlier stage.

a) Snehapanam - Two types of this are accha and
vicharana. In Accha snehapanam

A specially prepared medicated ghee is administered in empty stomach. The dosage is given up to seven days according to the patients condition and climate.

It is increased proportion to the signs of the optimum condition felt. This helps to lubricate all the body channels and elimate the toxins.

b) Swedanam - Here fomentation is done with the medicated decocation vapours and is applied to the affected areas with rubber tube.

In Upanaha sweda, substances like salt, oil, herbs are cooked. It is then bundled and then applied firmly to the affected joints while hot.

c) Virechanam - Then it is followed by Virechanam which is a method of purgation by oral intake of herbal formulas. In this the toxins found in gastro intestinal tract are flushed out through anal route.

To mention few other treatments for OA are

Elakizhi-Body is applied in blouses with hot medicated
oils.

Njavarakizhi - A body massage in blouses with highly nutritious rice along with herbs.

Pizichil - Massaging the body with continuous pouring of medicated oils.

Dhara - (Thakra Dhara & Ksheera Dhara) - Herbal oils and medicated butter oils are poured in the forehead.

Panchakarma treatment along with a modified diet and complete rest will yield a great result in treating OA.

Yoga tries to the manage this degenerative disease by including all spheres viz., physical-mental-moral-spiritual in the following manner.

Stressed life, worries, tiredness, disturbed sleep leads to a state of improper digestion and yoga helps one to overcome all these.

The mild body movements and gentle pressures of the yogic postures keeps the affected joints mobile and prevents further damage and reduces pain. Stretching postures done with rhythming breathing techniques helps one to relax and release the muscles that are crumpled around the joints.

When the patient experience pain due to inflammation in the joints, pranayama (breathing technique) is to be practiced as it removes the accumulated toxins leading to reduction in pain, after which one can do sun salutation.

First do the warm up exercises then hold a posture that helps in building strength and flexibility of the body and finally do the Shavasana (relaxation pose).

Strength building asanas build muscles around the joints and helps in nourishing it. Flexibility yielding asanas open up the joints and increase the blood, oxygen and energy circulation. Shavasana done after the above two asanas is used to rejunevate to heal the body based on the energy one has acquired from above postures.

Energizing and warming pranayama like Kapalabhati pranayama and Ujjayi Pranayam are highly recommended. Asanas for hip OA are Virabhadrasana,Parsvottanasana, Vrkasana Utthita Trikonasana etc.,

Cyclic yoga exercises based on Suryanamaskara, burn extra calories.Abdominal exercises improves digestion.
Yogic postures along with breathing exercises makes an physiological and psychological impact. Then do Shavasana which helps in regulating the mind. This sequence in doing asanas helps one to restore the balance of vata dosha thereby treating OA at its origin.